Burke County Legion Post 21 survived its final regular-season game by holding off Henderson County 8-7 on Saturday night at Shuey Field.
Saturday's game was a close matchup between two good pitchers for most of the contest as Burke County's Justin O'dear worked a season-high 7-1/3 innings for Post 21, while Henderson's Dustin Batson threw for 6-2/3 innings.
O'dear struck out 11 Henderson County batters while giving up just five hits and four runs. Logan Cook went three outs, allowing two runs on two hits and two strikeouts, and Tyler Hopkins finished on the mound for Post 21, picking up the final two outs on grounders while allowing one run and one hit.
The visitors' Aaron Goforth gave up the final two Burke County runs in the eighth inning after Batson allowed six runs scattered over the first seven innings.
Offensively, Burke County Post 21 scored runs in every inning except the second and third, with the final winning runs actually coming in the eighth inning. Cameron Moore's sacrifice bunt scored Lucas Clarke, who had singled with one out, and then Taylor Powell scored from third on a passed ball. Burke had an 8-4 cushion going into the top of the ninth inning, but Henderson scored three runs and had a man on third when the final out was recorded.
Leading the stats for Burke was Tre Young, who hit his team-high eighth home run, a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Young also picked up a first inning RBI, bringing in Hopkins for Post 21's first run. Hopkins scored three of Burke's runs with a double, single and fielder's choice. Also getting two hits for Burke were Alex McGee and Clarke. O'dear added a big double. Powell and Moore both had big RBI's in the game.
Henderson County's cleanup hitter Dillon Baker lived up to his position with five RBI's on the night, including a three-run homer and two-RBI double.
Long-time Post 21 mentor Ron Swink said, "It feels good to get a win in the toughest division in the state, but we certainly did not play with a lot of focus early on in this contest. Then we made a crucial error in the field late that got Henderson County right back in the game. Luckily, we got a break and were able to get out of the ninth inning with the tying runner on third.
“Justin O'Dear pitched a great game, going longer than any starter we have had this season. Tre had his eighth home run, and we will surely need his bat next week.”
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